Diabetes is often a silent disease. Some people have no symptoms of high blood sugar for years yet damage is happening slowly in the body. Education and self-care skills provide better health outcomes, often adding complication free years to one's lifespan.
Diabetes Education is offered in a client-centered approach to persons newly diagnosed with diabetes or those seeking a refresher of skills needed to control blood glucose. The instructors are a Physician Assistant and a Registered Dietician.
Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME): Group or individual classes are available. The basic Type 2 diabetes class is a series of sessions. A support person is invited to attend with you. For more information about DSME call Heidi at 308.432.0455.
Diabetes Prevention: Nearly 90% of people with pre-diabetes do not know they have it. A diabetes prevention group is offered locally through Chadron Community Hospital. This year long program is offered twice a year. Eligibility criteria apply, contact Heidi at 308.432.0455 for more information.
Discuss diabetes care with your healthcare provider for a referral to one of the following services:
- Glucose meter instruction- learn how to use a home glucose meter, get accurate results and use the information to make everyday decisions about your care.
- Nutrition therapy- develop a personal meal plan that includes food preferences and meets nutritional needs based on constant carbohydrate intake.
- Taking Medication- learn how to use oral medication safely to get the most benefit.
- Using injectable diabetes medications- learn skill needed to use insulin or non-insulin injectable medications administered by pen or syringe.
- Foot care skills.
- Reducing risk of complications- using problem solving skills and healthy coping.
- Gestational Diabetes management- how to maintain glucose control during pregnancy & about follow up care after delivery.